Really Great Giveaway!

We are keeping it pink!

Look here every Monday for another great giveaway from Zazu. This week, we chose a staff favorite - a wardrobe of stationery designed by Anna Griffin! Within the hot pink, zebra trimmed box, you will find 20 note cards, 20 correspondence cards, 20 letter sheets, 60 envelopes and 3 adhesive note pads. Wow, another great excuse to keep in touch!

Just post a comment below (click on the tiny "comment") and we will announce the winner next Monday!

Good luck and good writing!

Note: The winner was rainydaygirl! rainydaygirl, could you please email us with your contact information? www.coolstuff@shopzazu.com

Elves Hard at Work!

I have had a few angry phone calls regarding the lack of posting this week.  Okay, it was just my mother ...

Dear Mom,

The Zazu crew is extremely busy and focused on preparing for our annual Holiday Party, which is on Thursday.  So, we will return to posting on Friday.

Cheers!

Window of Opportunity

It really is the most wonderful time of the year for us at Zazu!  Our creativity is at its peak and the Starbucks doth flow!

Next week, we completely demolish the joint and resurrect our sweet shop with all the tinsel and trappings we can get our hands on.  The first spot we tackle is our front window, which is always spectacular!

We are channeling our inner Simon Doonan, the celebrated creative director of Barneys this year.  Hoping for something even {dare we say} grander than previous years, we are pulling out all the stops.

Simon Doonan and some of his fabulous installations. Mr. Doonan is also the author of several novels, a columnist for The New York Observer, and a contributor to many other publications. On the shelves at Zazu, we have his Wacky Chicks - classic Doonan!

Stay tuned for sneeky peeks along the way...

Please Be Seated ...

Your two aunts have been feuding since the 80s, you have out of town friends
flying in that know no one, and your last single girlfriend is ULTRA
sensitive about where she will sit because the last wedding she went to she
was intentionally seated next to Mr No-Way-In-Hell.

And quite honestly, you may feel you're simply not up to the task.
"If there's enough chairs for everyone, can't we all just get along?" you
ask. You have obviously never been to a wedding with no seating plan and it's a good thing because you might not have survived the mass trampling as people were jockeying for position.

What to do?

Enter Bridal Tapestry seating charts now available at Zazu.

Table assignments are slightly less work for you (lets face it, you have

enough to take care of) and your guest will still have some say in where
they sit!

Beautifully presented, your guests will immediately be assured that you have
thoughtfully placed them. These also make beautiful mementos of your special day.

Taking the time for a table plan will be well worth it and - with these charts -
beautiful to boot. 

Extra, Extra, Blog All About It!

We are spreading the Blog news! See today's article in the Loudoun Times Mirror chronicling Zazu's experience with this new media format.

Totally cool...

For the whole story, click here.

I Thee Wed (nesday)

They call me mellow yellow, quite rightly!

It may be nearly November, but around these parts it feels as if spring will be resprung. I just feel a little yellow today (in a good way) and wondered if I could take this light and springy color and sexy it up a little by combining it with black and pewter ...



How do you like this color combination? Feel free to comment below.

Center Photo: Zazu Invitation using Envelopments Paper Stocks
Photos 1,2,12: Ballard Designs
Photos 3,6,7: Ann Taylor Loft

Photo 5: Amy Atlas and Hostess with the Mostess

Photo 9: Neiman Marcus
Photo 10: Dolce and Gabbana

The Great Sock Monkey Debate

I am on the fence on this one, folks ...

I just got an email from a manufacturer's representative with great news! When the economy is sagging, you need a hot product to get everyone excited and back on track. She has that hot product, the ultimate solution, our salvation ... sock monkeys!

I'll repeat that.

Sock Monkeys.

Now, here's my situation. In case you have not heard, (while you were under that medically induced coma) small businesses have been taking quite a punch lately. We at Zazu have had to face some very difficult questions lately; (a) can we pay the rent? (b) can we make payroll? (c) will it be 80 degrees at our holiday party next Thursday (OCT 23rd - come on over)?

So, you know, I am going to leave this one up to the people to decide.

If we bring in the Sock Monkeys, something else will have to go. I'm thinking Webkinz.

So this is the part where you choose sides - Sock Monkeys or Webkinz? Webkinz or Sock Monkeys? To be fair, I have included video of both candidates below. A coin toss determined which was presented first. This is democracy at its absolute best, don't you think?

Please consider all sides of this great dilemma. Cast your vote by posting a comment below.

Enjoy the videos.

So, which is it? Please cast your vote for either candidate by posting a comment below by clicking on the tiny "comments" in light blue. We will post the voting results daily.  And ...

There will absolutely be some kind of big giant prize at the end!

*Note: No sock monkeys or Webkinz were harmed during the making of these videos.  I am pretty sure of that.

Keep in the Pink!

Unfortunately, we all know many women who have been faced with the diagnosis of breast cancer. Don't we all want to conquer this beast? Continued medical research and care for these women (and men) will eventually lead to a cure. Believe it!

Here's where we can start. Avon hosts sponsored walks in several large cities across the country. You may form a group to participate in one of these walks. You may help sponsor one of these groups. Or, Avon absolutely needs volunteers at points along the routes to support the teams.

Our friend (and printer) Amy Pruden, is part of a team participating in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in Charlotte, NC on October 25 - 26. The "Booby Bunch" will walk a total of 40 miles in two days!!! The training is very difficult, and a big commitment.

Closer to home, my twin cousins, Samantha and Heather and their team, Twin Power will commit themselves for the fifth year . They will pound the pavement again this year in Washington, D.C. on the weekend of May 2-3, 2009. YOU GO, GIRLS!!!


About the Avon Foundation and the
Avon Walk for Breast Cancer

The Avon Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity, was founded in 1955 to improve the lives of women and their families, and Avon philanthropic programs worldwide have raised and awarded more than $500 million. Now past the half century milestone, the Avon Foundation brings this mission to life through two key areas: breast cancer and domestic violence. The Avon Breast Cancer Crusade launched in 1992, and Avon breast cancer programs in some 50 countries support advancing access to care and finding a cure for breast cancer, with a focus on the medically underserved. Funding is awarded to beneficiaries ranging from leading cancer centers to community-based breast health programs for awareness and education; screening and diagnosis; access to treatment; support services; and scientific research. Fundraising is through a variety of “pink ribbon” products, events, races and walks. The largest is the U.S. Avon Walk for Breast Cancer series, which began in 2003.

For more information on the Avon Foundation visit http://www.avonfoundation.org/.

Give These Girls a Shout Out!

This week we are having a very special giveaway for these breast friends!

Please comment with your cheers of support to the Booby Bunch and Twin Power. Among those commenting, a winner will be randomly chosen to receive two terrific and relaxing offerings from The Thymes.


One of our favorite people from the Thymes family is a breast cancer survivor herself, so it is only fitting that we chose one of her (and our) favorite products. Kimono Rose has a girly (but not over-flowery) fresh scent and has always been one of our most popular items. The lucky winner will receive an aromatic candle and foaming bath . Femininity refined! I can feel a good soak coming on...

Please click on the tiny "comments" at the bottom of this post. The winner will be posted on Friday, October 17th, 2009.

This giveaway is now over ... Ashley was the big winnner! Thanks to all for your comments, every positive step is a step in the right direction. See us next week for our next giveaway.

I Thee Wed (nesday)

Okay, got a great idea today! Actually, I have seen this done before but never with invitations actually designed and printed at Zazu. So, in that regard - this is new ...

New to the blogosphere, we figure out something special about the whole workings nearly every single day. Last week, I figured out how to do one of these photo inspiration things. I was so happy with it, in fact, I think we'll trot one out every week. Yep, every week.

Every Wednesday, (okay, I know it's Thursday, but I just thought of it today) look for our stationery showcase here. That's Wednesday, not Thursday. On "I Thee Wed(nesday).

Get it?

At our most recent Bridal Show, the most popular section of our booth was the section featuring chocolate brown invitations. It has been for a number of years, but this year the secondary color was green.

The invitation is one of Zazu's designs and this is how we imagine the rest of the event panned out.




Most photos courtesy of The Knot. Photography by: Valls Photographic, John & Joseph Photography, Stephen Karlisch, Man & Clark, Roy Liera, Amanda Kraft Photography, Anderson Photography. Flowers by Dragonfly Event

Joyeaux Noel!

We so totally need a little Christmas right this very minute!

If you are already a Zazu customer, look for this in the mail.  If you are new to Zazu, come on over on October 23rd!

We will be closed from Mon Oct 20 through Wed Oct 22 while we are putting on the glitz!

Zazu Puts Loudoun County on the Map!

It pays to speak up.

We have been carrying the famous Cat Studio drinking glasses and pillows since the very beginning days of Zazu. In fact, on my desk I have a framed copy of an InStyle magazine spread from December 2004 where Cat Studio and Zazu shared the very same page.

Cat Studio has now expanded their geography line to include a host of products; glasses, pillows, hand towels, aprons, totes and trays. The glasses and pillows have always been a major hit with our customers. The "Virginia" design has always been the most popular (no kidding!) But ... there was one problem ...

Anyone see it?



We didn't either. Where is Loudoun County? Considering it is one of the fastest growing and wealthiest counties in the U.S., you'd think we would be getting some love from Cat Studio. So, what did we do about it?

We asked Cat Studio to add it. Truthfully, first, we suggested the Zazu logo - when the laughter subsided - we asked for Loudoun County. Got that one!


To finally lay this question to rest ..

Yes, Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus.
He's got his own pillow, too!

**Note from the North Pole - this newest geographical hotspot is sure to be on everyone's list this year - the elves may not make them fast enough. Order them early, so they make it down the chimney in time.

Crane's Personalized Stationery Event

Replenish your cache stationery cache - or someone else's - during Crane's personalized stationery event.

October 11 through November 8 is the perfect time to renew your reserve of notes, cards, or sheets with envelopes.  When you purchase 75 or more of Crane's 100% cotton, personalized stationery, you'll receive an additional 25 FREE. 

Create your signature style through choice of paper, color, lettering and monograms.

Crane's personalized stationery event is also the perfect opportunity to create a unique gift for someone special.  

Really Great Giveaway!

Our really great friend, Anna Michelle, is nuts about Staxx! Staxx have rings, pendants, and soon will have earrings that combine interchangeable components that allow you to change your Staxx look at your whimsy!

Start with a base, add as many disks as you like in the center, then secu

re your creation with a jeweled topper. There are hundreds of possible combinations!

So, in honor of Anna Michelle, we are holding a really great giveaway. To be eligible to win this fabulous Staxx set in Filligree and Finery, just post a comment below. Comments will be moderated and there will be a random drawing among those who comment.

You've got until Wednesday, October 8th!

Bonne Chance!

Finding Your Way In Style

I remember my first experience with the Internet. Find something cool, which leads you to someplace else, to a chat room about that new someplace else, which sends you to a horoscope site, and then eventually (hours later) you forget where you started. So, you "google" your own name to see what is out there about you only to be completely bummed that there is absolutely nothing. Zip.

Blogging is kind of the same - only different. By the way, I love that phrase; the same - only different. I have heard it used a lot lately. I recently got up to speed on Facebook and have reconnected with many friends from my school days. It seems that lots of folks look exactly the same - only different.

Let's get back to the point ... Blogging is the same, except that out in the blogosphere, it is widely recognized that you give credit where credit is due. The beauty of the whole system is that everyone is connected through links.

For example, I have a subscription to Wedding Wire through Google Reader. Every time they have a new posting, it shows up in my browser. Today they had a great post about a company who hand draws maps. Many of our wedding customers would be interested in including a beautifully detailed map with their wedding invitation ensemble. This is good information to share.

Thankfully, Wedding Wire not only gave us the name of the merry map makers (Couture Maps), but also credited another blog (Ritzy Bee) for bringing this company to their attention.
To wrap the whole thing up in a neat little bundle, I am bringing all this pertinent stuff to you. With pictures!

Ginny and Matt Tie the Knot

Whenever we help a Zazu customer plan her wedding stationery and invitation, we can't help imagining how the entire event will play out. We've always been tempted to send back the reply card indicating that the entire Zazu staff will absolutely be attending. I said, "tempted", we seriously have not ever done this. Yet.

So, we were thrilled to find our inbox filled with wedding photos from the super-organized Ginny. Geez, the wedding was last week! She kindly allowed us to share her joy with all.

While selecting her save -the- dates and invitations, Ginny gave us a lot of insight into her dream wedding vision. It would be an easy and elegant seaside affair.

For the invitation, she chose a stunningly simple cold press watercolor paper with a deckle edge from Vera Wang. The save-the-date was a tri-fold from William Arthur. Having three panels, it allowed room for all the accommodation information and a calendar.





























Now it was time to turn our attention to the other details that would complete the picture. For her centerpieces, Ginny chose a collection of beautiful lattice -cut lanterns in white ceramic by Two's Company.

The dessert table featured plates and napkins by Caspari.

Cheers! Courtesy of toasting glasses from Two's Company.

And then, Ginny came up with a super idea of inserting place card tabs from Envelopments into wine corks courtesy of Zazu. (we've saved thousands!)

Now you have some of the details that went into creating the big picture of Matt and Ginny's glorious day. We wish them blissful seas ahead!